The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-12-22
exit, leaving the Doctor and his ward alone

Now MS nepneWg 1f3gmenLaIy HpeeCn
had completely upset Doctor Blake-if l
may use the homely simile. He hal known
for some time that Paul had persistently
haunted Doris studio to the scandal Of MrA
Mack, and his own secret uneasinesa But
that matters had gone so far he never
dreamed
Yet, being brave man, Dr.. Blake crushed.
down his rebellious feelings He had come
on mission Of peace. A little .fnesse might
be advisable, for impulsiye Doris was not
apt to listen patiently when Mira Mack,
whom she exceedingly disliked, was the
topic. Perhaps he had better begin by
mentioning the invitation that morning re-
ceived and accepted for himself and Doris
TO eat their N " Years dinner with the
Marstona Thus he could lead up to the
topic desired by slow degrees
Il suppose Doria,' said the Doctor. break
Ing an awkward silence. ..that-e'r-MrA
Mack has told you we are engaged"
'.She has inst given mo to understand 20
yes" coldly interrupted Doris
This was not encouraging. He would beat
about the bush no longer but mention his
errand at once
sAs you know, Doris,' again began DR..
Black, nervously clearing his throat, "MrA
Mack 10 o most excellent housekeeper, and
we-o
Doris beautiful face, n pale a. death, was
suddenly turned toward him, checking his
further explanation.
Il do not care to listen to q recital OF Mr9
Macks accomplishments or virtues" cried
Doris, with passionate resentment unlike
the Doris he knew-''she and / are thor
oughly antagonistic It does not matter
though" she s1id, with . sudden half pa
thetic change Of voice and manner-"we
shall not trouble each other in the future.
Ii have accepted an offer received to-
day and shall no longer be dependent on
your-bounty."
Though stricken to the heart DR.. Blake
was too proud to make any sign. He
waited Q moment for Doris to explain
further, but Doris was dumb. Could he
have seen her quivering lips he might have
known the reason.
II hope you may be happy In your now
life, Doris" It cost DR.. Blake . tremen-
dous effort to say this Too well he knew
the weak will and vac.llating purpose Of
his nephew, who would never succeed in
his calling. simply from lack Of energy and
application. And this was the man who
had won his pretty ward!
"Thank you." said Doris, In low tone.
But, as she suddenly lifted her deep, sharp
eyes to his own, what was it tnat, for ons
brief moment, he fancied he saw in their
| inscrutable depths?
All the self-repressed passion Of his nat
ure rose suddenly to the surface. For the
| first time in his years Of guardianship DR..
Paul Blake forgot to hold himself in check.
Crossing tho space between them with 4
singie stride. DR.. Blake seized both Doris
small hands in his own:
Dor q my darling-can it be possiblef'
| he exclaimed, IN half bewildcrment
And his voice. a. well as tho loye-lighl
shining from his eyes. supplied what wa
lacking of furt er speech
Afiood OF tell-tale crimson snffused the
fair girls brow, cheeks and neck.
How dare you-I hate you, Dr. Blake,
she impetuously cried, in the same breath
And wrenehing herself from his OBTAINING
4 pr.sp, Doris hiding her hot face in hel
hands, burst into an agony Of weeping.
Well would dismayed DR. Blake have de
sired to kiss away her tears. a. when D0ril
was o tiny maiden But-she hated him
| that settled it Exhaling sigh. which
seemed to come from his boot-soles. thu
doctor turned, and made his way hastily
| down-staiIs Doris waited till the echo o.
his foo steps had died away; then. drying
II LIZA Cy 90 va = uAuAA0u1vO A0A0ACANhAWAs 0A4S
stamped her small foot with considerable
energy.
Il am nothing but young tool shs
said, with an unconscious echo Of simila
admission on DR.. Blake's part little be
fore. The adjectives only being changed
Removing tue cloth from the paruy-com
pleted portrait, Doris seized her palett.
and with the ghost Of . tender smile on heI
quivertng lips fell to painting with nervou,
has.e
Il mus. finish it before New Years. sh,
said to herself And resOlutely cr0wdini
down her emouons, Doris worked steadil,
till dinner time
To her relief DR. Blake was absent max
Ing his professional round MrA Macl
glanced at tho traces Of recent tears ol
Doris pale cheek with ill-conoealed tri
nmph as the young girl, bending over hsl
plate. made pretense OF eating.
sThe Doctor says you're tn mixing Of leav
ing us. smoothly remarked the widow. afte
vainly waiting for Doris to break tn
silence
AYes,. was the coldly monosyllabic reply
sWell. may be it's for the best responds
Mrs Mack, steadily eyeing her shrinkin
victim. sfor naturally you don't feel lik
being beholden to any one longer'n you ca
help, though a. PAUL. mean the Doctor
says he didn't mind tho extra expense whil
be was single with only himself to care fol
But now. why"
Here MrA Mack checked herself and coyl
dropped her eyes to the table cloth. q corne
Of which she was plating between he
fingers in seeming confusion.
Neither DR.. Blake or yourself need fea
being burdened with me much longer II
piled Doris, with quiet scorn And 90 oh
rose and lett tho room, Mra Mack smile
unpleasantly.
-One of us will leave, but 1t won't b
Altnea Mack. she remarked, in triumphau
confidence, to herself But this remains
be seem
Slowly the old year dragged his laggin
footsteps toward the portal where the Ne,
Year child stood impatiently awaiting th
departure Of his near,y worn-out prod
ecessor. Doris. cold and silent. saw bu
little Of her guardian, who, far graver an
more pre-occupied than was his wont
silently noted the frequent comings an
golngs Of his nephew, who as far as possibl
seemed to SHRINK from an interview.
Dr.. Blake waited from day to day with
vain hope thnt Doris might como to hir
with her confidence as in other days Bu
lAO UuuS 3 La psa4uV0A 0VOsNAAy ~ V1AO VA
finished portrait for which - according
Mrs Mack-h.s nephew Paul was ''settin,
and DR. Blake never again intruded himse
on their presence.
. Il was the last evening Of the old yea
, DR.. Blake. thoroughly tired out by an vi
: usually hard days worS, was sitting in b
office library looking absently into the ope
! fireplace where the flames were dancing
, weird measure in fantastic time to the voit
> OF the win.er wind in the old-fashione.
wide-mouthed chimney.
, Bob, the Office 10y. stood in . back grour
of shadow awaiting the Doctors comnant
for the morrow, vaguely wondering VIII
: had come over his usually genial employ
of late
May be it's as folks says-that MI
Mack's bound to marry him whether he
. willin' or not, soliloquized Bob: sand II he
. afea'rd OF that, / don't wonder he's down
, the mouth
But all unconscious Of his office boy
. anxiety in his behalf, DR.. Blake sat wi,
. half-closed eyes In the semi obscurity, for
!, pinhead Of h.me from gas jet at tho re-
Il ~